Jemma celebrates her 18th Birthday!!

It scarcely seems possible that so many years have gone by since I held little Jem in my arms for the very first time back in 1991. Now at 18 years old, she is a grown woman ready to take 'flight' or perhaps 'peddle' into the big wide world. For her 18th birthday gift, she requested a bicycle.
The request was specifically for a vintage one, or at least a vintage-style. We found this lovely green bicycle with big wheels, it's in great condition and she loves it. After a bit of a hunt around for a wicker basket to put on the front (lined and attached with two cat collars!) a bell, chain lock and mirror and she was all set. So far she has been riding around the orchards and back roads, but hopes to be able to use it on campus when she starts university in just over a month and possibly make a few shopping trips into town too.

Jemma's boyfriend Curtis has been to visit often during the summer holidays and after a little cross questioning, I mean 'friendly chats' at the dinner table, we feel like we know him quite well already. They have been friends since the beginning of grade 12 and had every class together during the last semester. He makes Jemma happy and that's great.

The proper summer weather arrived with a vengeance this week with the temperature soaring to a sticky 30+ degrees with a very high humidity level. A storm is brewing as I write this post and I can almost hear the growing veggies crying out for a bit of rain. You may remember a few weeks ago, Craig with Amber's help designed and made three little beds and planted summer veggies which are coming along a treat. Each morning I pick a few carrots, onions, baby spinach leaves and romaine lettuce so we can all enjoy a really fresh salad every evening, often eaten on the deck when the sun is not so harsh.Earlier this week I took the girls to one of our favourite places, Dempsey's Farm. It's cherry season and we picked a couple of punnets of sweet cherries to take home with us. The usual farm animals were running amok, especially these hungry chickens, that apparently eat all day long!

It'a nice to be back at home full time. I will miss the money, but am glad to be actively keeping things maintained in the house and garden. Today I have been busy swapping over everything from the craft room to the study and vice versa. Except every time I open a box or drawer I have the uncontrollable urge to sort, tidy and throw out stuff. This is making the whole project quite time consuming. It will be worth it in the end, when both rooms are ship shape and functioning properly. My sewing room will double up as the guest room and the computers will be closer to the wood stove in the winter.

We are hoping our friend Dave will come and visit from New Zealand in September, he hasn't been for a couple of years and we do enjoy his company and listening to his tales from Havelock North.

Back to my sorting now as I hear some teenagers arriving downstairs, a common occurrence these days and nice to have youngsters around enjoying themselves and making the most of the holidays before they begin a new chapter as they all start various universities, colleges and jobs.

Hazel x